19

F.—6

While on this subject I have to mention that we are considering the substitution of the " Manuka " for the " Maitai " from Sydney in March, and for a few trips after, if not permanently. The " Manuka " has at present no cold storage for cargo, but as the season for such shipments will practically close with the preceding sailing, this may not cause inconvenience. Should we find later that cold storage is required to an extent sufficient to warrant a change of steamers we could send the " Moana " in place of the " Manuka." We shall feel very much obliged for a reply by telegraph whether you are agreeable to these proposals, so that, if decided upon, we can announce the changes. I have, &c, C. Holdsworth, General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [Wn.-S.F. 12/I.]

No. 51. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, 10th January, 1912. I have tiie honour to inform you that, on account of an accident and delay to a mail-car containing a large portion of the through mails from Europe to the Dominion ex steamer "Lusitania," it has been necessary to delay the departure of the steamer "Tahiti" from this port until the arrival of the overland express due here at 7.10 p.m. Due notice, as per copy of letter enclosed, has been served upon Messrs. Hind, Rolph, and Co., agents for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. It is quite probable that the " Tahiti " may be compelled to remain here until late to-night. I have not yet received any statement of the cause of this accident, but expect to report fully by the next mail. I would state for your information that the mails homeward bound which arrived here by the R.M.S. " Tahiti " left New York to-day by the steamer " Lusitania," and I trust will make an early arrival at destination in Europe. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent for the Dominion, of New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Wn.-S.F. 12/29.] [Acknowledged 7th February, 1912.]

Enclosure in No. 51. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to Messrs. Hind, Rolph, and Co., San Francisco, Agents for the Union Steam Ship Company. Gentlemen, — Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, 10th January, 1912. I have the honour to inform you that, on account of accident and delay to the mail-car bound to this city containing a large portion of the through mails from Europe for the Dominion of New Zealand, it will be necessary to delay the departure from this city of the R.M.S. " Tahiti," scheduled to leave this day at 11 a.m. I am informed by the Railway Mail Service Department that the delayed mails are due in this city at 7.10 to-night, but on account of the inclemency of the weather it is extremely probable that some further delay will occur. Therefore I request you to hold the steamer " Tahiti " until such hour as is requisite to effect the connection between the mail train and the steamer. This notification is in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract for. the conveyance of mails between this city and the Dominion now existing with your company. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent for the Dominion of New Zealand. Messrs. Hind, Rolph, and Co., Agents for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), San Francisco. [Wn.-S.F. 12/28.] ■

No. 52. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Director op Posts, Tahiti. g IB General Post Office, Wellington, 11th January, 1912. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 13th July last, supplying this Administration with the net weights of mail matter despatched by steamers of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited) from Tahiti to San Francisco on the 9th and from Tahiti to Wellington on the 10th idem. I now enclose, in duplicate, a statement [not printed] showing the amount of fr. 6,666"3 to be due by your office for the conveyance of the mail matter in question during the period 19th October, 1910-31st December, 1911. I have, &c, D. Robertson, The Director of Posts, Tahiti. Secretary. Wn.-S.F. 11/323.]